“It’s Always the Husband”

“It’s Always the Husband”

Written by Michele Campbell

Reviewed by Diana Iozzia

“It’s Always the Husband” centers around the past of three teens: Aubrey, Jenny, and Kate, and how the past will bring horrible secrets to life in their adult present. The first book written by Michele Campbell was one I needed to read, due to my reading of her two following novels. Going back to the start felt necessary, especially when I saw a very inexpensive and great conditioned copy of this, sitting on a book store shelf, just waiting for me.

“It’s Always the Husband” is told in Campbell’s unique blend of many different characters, perspectives, and time periods. The elements she creates in her novel feel very similar to Ruth Ware, Liane Moriarty, and B.A. Paris, for those who have read those writers’ novels. Out of all her novels so far, I enjoyed this just a bit less than “She Was Always the Quiet One”, but I still enjoyed this well.

When we read the first chapter of this novel, we know that one of these girls will be killed by a mystery assailant, as a forty-year-old pregnant woman. The book declares, that women are often murdered by their husband, but could it have been the best friend? This catalyst launches us into the story, begging us to ask, “Who could have been murdered? And who could have murdered them?”

Aubrey, Jenny, and Kate met in their first year of college, and instantly, their friends started off strangely. Aubrey, a dark soul, had experienced many troubles in her life, and now, she finds family in Jenny and Kate. Kate’s manipulative side manifests very quickly and contrasts with Jenny’s kind but wild side. The girls have a tumultuous friendship, which leads to the death of a fellow classmate. We wonder years later, could this death have influenced someone to hurt our victim?

Campbell plays with many red herrings; her writing leaves us clues, but only to dash them later. This fun manipulation is a common technique in most thrillers, but Campbell does have an excellent mastery of the technique.

This was a very exciting read, and I personally wanted to continue at every given free moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I highly recommend it. I am rating it at 5 out of 5 stars, because it was a fantastic read, without any notable elements that I did not like. This book has re-read potential and could be created into a great movie or mini-series. As mentioned prior, I have read the other two books by Campbell and recommend them well.